Career Pathways

Explore All 15 Career Pathways

Students have the opportunity to select a career pathway from 15 programs.

Employers need to fill High-Demand Sectors of Industry

Once a student completes a specific program, or even while working towards completion, he or she may be selected to participate in a company internship. This hands-on experience increases a student’s chances of immediate employment after graduation. All the programs listed below are in high-demand sectors of industry where employers need to fill open positions.

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT CAREER PATHWAY

This pathway will provide students an interactive, hands-on learning experience in preparation for an entry-level position in Information Technology. Students will learn programming logic, coding, debugging, testing, and general problem solving skills in a variety of applications including software engineering, web development, data management, network management and security.

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MOBILE APP DESIGN & COMPUTER CODING CAREER PATHWAY

This high-demand pathway provides hands-on experience in mobile app design and computer coding. The need for these skills has reached an all-time high as smartphones, tablets, wearable devices and the Internet of Things (network connectivity of everyday products) explode. Billions of dollars are being invested into marketing, mobile app and coding development skills, training, and education to meet enormous future demand in this sector.

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NETWORK ADMINISTRATION CAREER PATHWAY

Students in this pathway will gain hands-on technical experience in a full range of tracks including Cisco, Microsoft, CompTIA, Linux and UNIX networks. Students will learn network installation, configuration, basic security and maintenance including local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN) and Internet systems.

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CYBER SECURITY CAREER PATHWAY

This pathway will help educate the future cyber security workforce to serve industry and government needs. Students will be provided with the knowledge and preparation to be successful in securing and defending networks, recovering from security failures, using computer forensics, and managing data security.

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ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE (EA)

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY CAREER PATHWAY

This pathway enables students to develop a strong foundation in engineering, physics, and mathematics. The practical knowledge and laboratory skills acquired by students in this program will enhance their success with obtaining entry-level engineering technology jobs. Career options in this sector of the industry include product support, computer hardware engineer, aerospace engineer, and material scientist.

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BIOENGINEERING CAREER PATHWAY

Students who select this career pathway will build a strong foundation in engineering and analytical skills that will enable them to develop products utilizing biological processes that include pharmaceutical products, food supplements, preservatives, bionanotechnology, and biomass-based energy. This pathway sets a course for future bioengineers to solve problems in biology and medicine by applying biological principles and the principles of physical sciences and engineering to create new engineering paradigms, such as biomimetic materials, DNA computing, and neural networking.

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BIOTECH MANUFACTURING CAREER PATHWAY

This pathway will train students in the biotech sector of manufacturing. Students will learn how to work with biological systems to produce commercially important biomaterials and biomolecules for use in food and beverage processing, medicines, and industrial applications. Biotech Manufacturing encompasses a wide array of jobs that include operations management, quality control, site supervision, manufacturing process engineering, and materials procurement.

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MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (MPD), ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

MACHINING & FORMING CAREER PATHWAY

Students participating in this pathway will be prepared with the basic skills to operate a wide variety of machine tools, manually as well as through computer numeric control, for processing a large assortment of materials. Emphasis will be placed on both theory and hands-on skills. The job of a machinist is viewed as the vital link between engineers’ “blueprints” and real-world implementations.

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LASER TECHNOLOGY CAREER PATHWAY

Industry standard training in Laser Technology will provide students with the ability to work with lasers in many industries that range from medicine, entertainment, telecommunications, and aesthetics, to quality control. Their ubiquity has resulted in the skyrocketing demand for personnel who are well-versed in laser technology for both technical and non-technical positions. Students will become competent in both theoretical and hands-on areas needed to tackle most common problems and issues encountered in the laser/laser system environments through a regular course and industry internships.

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MEDICAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH CAREERS

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CAREER PATHWAY

This pathway will educate students in entry-level pharmacy work. Students will learn administrative and bookkeeping tasks, how to fill prescriptions, inventory control, stocking shelves, and data entry. Students will learn to read various prescriptions and process insurance claims. Pharmacy Technicians work primarily for independent pharmacies or pharmaceutical departments in drug stores, such as CVS or Walgreens. They may also work in hospitals or clinics, which dispense medication directly to patients. Besides a high school diploma, there are no formal training requirements. Many receive training on the job; however, employers may prefer that you graduate from a 1- to 2-year pharmacy technology program. These programs are designed to familiarize you with the concepts, practices, and terminology used in the career. Such programs typically result in a diploma, certificate or associate degree.

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BIOTECHNOLOGY CAREER PATHWAY

The pathway focuses on the Medical Biotechnology sector. The field employs engineers, biologists, chemists, and related professions that work to discover drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, and other healthcare advancements. Medical biotechnologists find employment in pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and high-tech diagnostic centers. Entry-level positions, such as clinical laboratory technicians, are available to those who have completed a minimum of an Associate’s Degree. However, for more advanced positions, such as, medical scientists or microbiologists, a Bachelor’s Degree or higher is required.

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EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (EMT) CAREER PATHWAY

Student who pursue this pathway are often first on the scene when responding to emergency calls. EMTs will be trained to provide efficient and immediate care to the critically ill and injured, and to transport the patient to a medical facility when necessary. It is important to take into account all the duties of this important life-saving profession. This pathway requires a high school diploma, registration with the EMT National Registry, and licensure by state EMS Authority.

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PUBLIC SERVICE

TRANSPORTATION CAREER PATHWAY

This pathway will teach students how transportation systems can be utilized to ship people, cargo, manufactured items and other goods, as well as how distribution systems work within a company or organization. Specific subjects studied by transportation and distribution students might include import/export law, transportation logistics and freight claims. While degrees in this industry can prove beneficial for jobseekers, many jobs can be satisfied with a high school education and on-the-job experience. Earning bachelor's degrees or graduate degrees in this field may not be necessary for all careers. There is a wide variety of career options in the transportation and distribution industry, including transportation analysis, distribution management, or logistics management.

Students can begin this pathway at: Foothill College.

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Legal CAREER PATHWAY

This pathway will provide students with a window into the legal profession. At an entry level position, such as a legal writer, you will need to complete high school or receive a GED. However, a Bachelor’s Degree in English, writing, or journalism will allow for more opportunities. If you intend to practice law you will be required to hold a combination of degrees. For example, in order to become a lawyer, one must hold a Bachelor’s Degree and one of three law degrees (Juris Doctor, Master of Laws, or Doctor of Juridical Science). A legal career provides numerous employment opportunities including work at law firm, a government organization, an NGO (non-governmental organization) or charity, work within a company’s legal department or real estate firm.

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Water CAREER PATHWAY

Students interested in water careers will be introduced to a unique opportunity to serve and protect the community while earning a competitive salary. Careers in this sector involve more than just operating water distribution systems. Seven job categories have been identified in the water/wastewater industry: electrician, electronic maintenance technician, engineer, machinist/mechanic, and wastewater treatment operator. Water careers are as diverse as the degrees/training needed. Some careers require high-school diplomas in order to apply for apprenticeship programs. Engineering water careers generally require a bachelor’s degree and 0-2 years of experience in the field or in a related field. At multiple levels, state licenses and registrations indicating level of experience and training are also required to work in the industry.